The Heroes

This book is widely considered the progenitor of the grimdark genre, featuring a cynical, battle-hardened mercenary company that mirrors the gritty military focus of Abercrombie's work. Its sparse, matter-of-fact narrative voice and focus on the brutal reality of war make it an essential read for any fan of The Heroes.

Fans of Abercrombie's sprawling military campaigns and complex political maneuvering will appreciate the sheer scale and uncompromising nature of the Malazan series. It demands close attention, offering a similarly bleak yet fascinating look at soldiers caught in the gears of empire.

If you enjoyed the morally bankrupt characters and dark, visceral world-building in Abercrombie's writing, this book takes those elements to an extreme. It presents a world where belief shapes reality, resulting in a disturbing, gritty, and highly unique experience.

Mark Lawrence shares Abercrombie's talent for crafting deeply flawed, often monstrous protagonists that readers somehow find themselves rooting for. The narrative is sharp, violent, and unapologetically dark, focusing on the brutal rise of a young warlord.

This novel captures the devastating psychological and physical toll of warfare with the same unflinching honesty found in The Heroes. It follows a protagonist's descent into darkness amidst a brutal conflict, echoing the 'war is hell' themes Abercrombie masters.

While lighter in tone than The Heroes, this book captures the same camaraderie and focus on the 'professional' side of adventuring and combat. It feels like a classic fantasy band-of-brothers story, offering a perfect palate cleanser that still respects the genre's tropes.

This flintlock fantasy novel excels at military tactics and the gritty day-to-day life of soldiers on the front lines. Much like The Heroes, it balances high-stakes battles with the personal, often cynical perspectives of the soldiers fighting them.

The primary influence on modern grimdark, Martin's work shares Abercrombie's penchant for subverting fantasy tropes and placing characters in impossible moral dilemmas. The focus on political machinations and the grim reality of power is a direct parallel to the Northman conflicts.

If you haven't started the trilogy that precedes The Heroes, it is essential reading to fully appreciate the character arcs and the wider geopolitical context of the Circle of the World. It establishes the iconic, cynical voice that defines the entire series.

While aimed at a slightly different demographic, the cast of morally grey, damaged individuals and the high-stakes, gritty atmosphere will appeal to fans of Abercrombie's character work. It features a similar focus on team dynamics and the consequences of past trauma.