1
The Poppy War
Start of Poppy War seriesby R.F. Kuang
02018
Why you'll love it:
A perfect companion read that hits the same notes as Hell Bent.
10 Best Books Like Hell Bent
If you loved Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like Hell Bent are:
- 1The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang0Series starter
- 2The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo4.3
- 3Beg The Night by Emily Blackwood4.1
- 4The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie4.5Series starter
- 5The Incandescent by Emily Tesh4.4
- 6Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman4.5Series starter
- 7The Primal Hunter by Zogarth4.6Series starter
- 8A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin0Series starter
- 9Jade City by Fonda Lee0#1
- 10Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman4.5
Galaxy "Alex" Stern returns to Yale to rescue her mentor Darlington from hell itself, navigating dangerous occult societies and demonic forces
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Detailed Recommendations
2
by Leigh Bardugo
4.32025400 pages
Why you'll love it:
Another Leigh Bardugo book — if you love their writing style, this is a natural next pick.
3
by Emily Blackwood
4.12025350 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a dark and seductive tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
4
The Blade Itself
Start of First Law seriesby Joe Abercrombie
4.52009624 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a darkly cynical tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
5
by Emily Tesh
4.42025432 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a dark and introspective tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
6
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Start of Dungeon Crawler Crawler seriesby Matt Dinniman
4.52020446 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a darkly hilarious yet brutal tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
7
The Primal Hunter
Start of The Primal Hunter seriesby Zogarth
4.62022714 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a darkly optimistic tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
8
A Game of Thrones
Start of A Song of Ice and Fire seriesby George R.R. Martin
02005
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a brutal and cynical tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
9
Jade City
Green Bone Saga #1 (works standalone)by Fonda Lee
02017
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a brutal but intimate tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
10
by Neil Gaiman
4.52017448 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a dark and whimsical tone that will resonate with Hell Bent fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like Hell Bent
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Poppy War📚 Series starter | R.F. Kuang | 0 | 2018 | — | Start a new series |
| The Familiar | Leigh Bardugo | 4.3 | 2025 | 400 | Same author |
| Beg The Night | Emily Blackwood | 4.1 | 2025 | 350 | Similar vibes |
| The Blade Itself📚 Series starter | Joe Abercrombie | 4.5 | 2009 | 624 | Start a new series |
| The Incandescent | Emily Tesh | 4.4 | 2025 | 432 | Similar vibes |
| Dungeon Crawler Carl📚 Series starter | Matt Dinniman | 4.5 | 2020 | 446 | Start a new series |
| The Primal Hunter📚 Series starter | Zogarth | 4.6 | 2022 | 714 | Start a new series |
| A Game of Thrones📚 Series starter | George R.R. Martin | 0 | 2005 | — | Start a new series |
| Jade City | Fonda Lee | 0 | 2017 | — | Similar vibes |
| Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman | 4.5 | 2017 | 448 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Leigh Bardugo
If you enjoy Leigh Bardugo's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to Hell Bent?
The most similar books to Hell Bent are The Poppy War, The Familiar, Beg The Night.
What should I read after Hell Bent?
After finishing Hell Bent, readers most commonly pick up The Poppy War next. Alternatively, you might enjoy more books by Leigh Bardugo, such as The Familiar.
Who writes books like Leigh Bardugo?
Authors similar to Leigh Bardugo include Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Tana French.
What genre is Hell Bent?
Hell Bent is a Fantasy novel by Leigh Bardugo. It features elements of Dark Academia, Secret Society, Magic.
How long is Hell Bent?
Hell Bent varies in length depending on edition.
Does Hell Bent have romance/spice?
Hell Bent has a spice level of 3/5. This book has moderate romantic content.
About Hell Bent
Galaxy "Alex" Stern returns to Yale to rescue her mentor Darlington from hell itself, navigating dangerous occult societies and demonic forces that threaten both the living and the dead. As Alex delves deeper into the dark magic that governs the secret societies of New Haven, she must confront her own traumatic past while battling supernatural enemies. Bardugo crafts a gritty, mature fantasy that combines academic intrigue with visceral horror, creating a story that's both intellectually compelling and emotionally devastating. Perfect for dark fantasy readers who enjoy urban settings, morally complex protagonists, and magic systems that come with devastating costs.