10 Best Books Like Written on the Dark
If you loved Written on the Dark by Guy Gavriel Kay, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like Written on the Dark are:
- 1The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson4.7
- 2Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson4.5
- 3Beg The Night by Emily Blackwood4.1
- 4Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury0
- 5A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher4.4
- 6Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman4.5
- 7The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch4.5#1
- 8The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden0#1
- 9Jade City by Fonda Lee0#1
- 10Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake3.9

When notorious tavern poet Thierry Villar becomes entangled in the deadly political machinations of medieval France on a brutal winter night, he must navigate treacherous courts, ambitious royals, and invading armies using only his wit and charm. As war threatens to destroy his beloved country, Thierry encounters mysterious figures connected to otherworldly forces and an extraordinary young woman whose voices compel her to heal the dying king and aid his armies in battle.
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Detailed Recommendations

The Lies of Locke Lamora
Gentleman Bastard #1 (works standalone)by Scott Lynch
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a witty but brutal tone that will resonate with Written on the Dark fans.

The Bear and the Nightingale
Winternight #1 (works standalone)by Katherine Arden
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a haunting and atmospheric tone that will resonate with Written on the Dark fans.
Jade City
Green Bone Saga #1 (works standalone)by Fonda Lee
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a brutal but intimate tone that will resonate with Written on the Dark fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like Written on the Dark
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Raven Scholar | Antonia Hodgson | 4.7 | 2025 | 656 | Closest match |
| Mistborn📚 Series starter | Brandon Sanderson | 4.5 | 2006 | 541 | Start a new series |
| Beg The Night | Emily Blackwood | 4.1 | 2025 | 350 | Similar vibes |
| Something Wicked This Way Comes | Ray Bradbury | 0 | 2013 | 308 | Similar vibes |
| A Sorceress Comes to Call | T. Kingfisher | 4.4 | 2024 | 336 | Similar vibes |
| Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman | 4.5 | 2017 | 448 | Similar vibes |
| The Lies of Locke Lamora | Scott Lynch | 4.5 | 2006 | 752 | Similar vibes |
| The Bear and the Nightingale | Katherine Arden | 0 | 2020 | — | Similar vibes |
| Jade City | Fonda Lee | 0 | 2017 | — | Similar vibes |
| Gifted & Talented | Olivie Blake | 3.9 | 2025 | 512 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like Guy Gavriel Kay
If you enjoy Guy Gavriel Kay's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to Written on the Dark?
The most similar books to Written on the Dark are The Raven Scholar, Mistborn, Beg The Night.
What should I read after Written on the Dark?
After finishing Written on the Dark, readers most commonly pick up The Raven Scholar next.
Who writes books like Guy Gavriel Kay?
Authors similar to Guy Gavriel Kay include Robin Hobb, Ursula K. Le Guin.
What genre is Written on the Dark?
Written on the Dark is a Fantasy novel by Guy Gavriel Kay, published in 2025. It features elements of Political Intrigue.
How long is Written on the Dark?
Written on the Dark is 320 pages long.
About Written on the Dark
Both sweeping and intimate, a majestic novel of love and war that brilliantly evokes the drama and turbulence of medieval FranceThierry Villar is a well-known-even notorious- tavern poet, familiar with the rogues and shadows of that world, but not at all with courts and power. He is an unlikely person, despite his quickness, to be caught up in the deadly contests of ambitious royals, assassins, and invading armies.But he is indeed drawn into all these things on a savagely cold night in his beloved city of Orane. And so Thierry must use all the intelligence and charm he can muster as political struggles merge with a decades-long war to bring his country to the brink of destruction.As he does, he meets his poetic equal in an aristocratic woman and is drawn to more than one unsettling person with a connection to the world beyond this one. He also crosses paths with an extraordinary young woman driven by voices within to try to heal the ailing king-and help his forces in war. A wide and varied set of people from all walks of life take their places in the rich tapestry of this story.A new masterwork from the internationally bestselling author of All the Seas of the World, A Brightness Long Ago, and Tigana, Written on the Dark is an elegant tour de force about power and ambition playing out amid the intense human need for art and beauty, and memories to be left behind.






