A scarred swordsman, a disgraced mage, and a world grown hostile to heroes meet mercenary work with grim humor and fiercer steel. Brutal, bold, and subversive, The Steel Remains kicks off a fantasy that wields blade and wit in equal measure.
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Start or resume Shelf TalkThese picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Possible spoilers below.
In The Steel Remains, did you enjoy morally gray protagonists and ethical ambiguity?
If you were drawn to Ringil Eskiath's complex, often ruthless approach to heroism, you'll love The Black Company. Cook's mercenary soldiers are far from traditional heroes, often forced into brutal choices as they navigate shifting allegiances and dark magic. The narrative is filled with questionable loyalties and personal codes, making it a gripping read for anyone who appreciated the moral complexity of The Steel Remains.
In The Steel Remains, did you enjoy dark, violent tone and a bleak, immersive atmosphere?
If the grim, often brutal world of The Steel Remains captivated you, The Gutter Prayer delivers an equally intense experience. Hanrahan's city of Guerdon is full of monsters—both human and otherwise—with a pervasive sense of danger and decay. The violence is vivid, and the tone is unrelentingly dark, echoing Morgan's unforgiving vision.
In The Steel Remains, did you enjoy political intrigue and power struggles?
If you enjoyed the tangled web of conspiracies and shifting alliances in The Steel Remains, you'll be riveted by The Traitor Baru Cormorant. Baru's quest to subvert an empire from within is a masterclass in ruthless strategy and political manipulation, with betrayals and reversals that match Morgan's own labyrinthine plotting.
In The Steel Remains, did you enjoy anti-heroic protagonists who seek vengeance and blur the line between hero and villain?
If Ringil's flawed, vengeful nature resonated with you, Best Served Cold is a must-read. Monza Murcatto is a fierce, driven anti-heroine on a bloody quest for revenge, surrounded by equally damaged companions. Abercrombie's blend of grit, violence, and dark humor will remind you of Morgan's unflinching take on what it means to be a hero.
In The Steel Remains, did you enjoy rich, detailed worldbuilding with intricate histories and cultures?
If the layered, vividly realized world of The Steel Remains drew you in, City of Stairs offers another masterful blend of mythology, politics, and history. Shara Thivani's investigation takes her through a city shaped by the remnants of dead gods and lost miracles, with a setting as meticulously constructed and immersive as anything in Morgan's work.
