7 Fantasy Books Where The Villain Wins

In most fantasy tales, heroes rise, villains fall, and good ultimately triumphs over evil. But sometimes, the story takes a darker path—one where the villain outsmarts the hero, fate twists cruelly, and the world is left in the grip of darkness. These books shatter expectations, proving that sometimes, power, ambition, and sheer ruthlessness are enough to rewrite the rules of fate.

Here are seven fantasy books where the villain doesn’t just fight to the bitter end—they win.

1. The First Law Trilogy by Joe Abercrombie

🩸 Victory Doesn’t Always Belong to the Good Guys
Abercrombie’s grimdark masterpiece turns fantasy tropes inside out. As characters strive for justice, revenge, or redemption, a darker truth unfolds—those in power are willing to do anything to stay there. By the trilogy’s end, the most cunning and ruthless players emerge victorious, proving that in this world, heroism is a fool’s game.

2. Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

⚔️ When the Protagonist Is the Villain
Jorg Ancrath isn’t just morally gray—he’s a monster in the making. Driven by vengeance, he slaughters, manipulates, and destroys his way to the throne. And the most unsettling part? He wins. Lawrence crafts a haunting tale where redemption is never on the table—only power, ambition, and blood-soaked victory.

3. The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson

♟ Betrayal, Politics, and a Price Too High
Baru Cormorant seeks to dismantle the Empire of Masks from within. But in her quest for revenge, she becomes everything she once hated. The deeper she falls into the empire’s power structure, the more she sacrifices—including love, friendships, and her very soul. In the end, she wins—but at what cost?

4. The Broken Empire Trilogy by Mark Lawrence

👑 A Kingdom Built on Blood and Chaos
Jorg Ancrath returns for a second spot on this list because his story is the ultimate tale of villainous triumph. Throughout The Broken Empire, he climbs higher and higher, tearing down everything in his path. By the trilogy’s end, he doesn’t just conquer—he reshapes the very world itself, proving that sometimes, the villain is the only one strong enough to survive.

5. The Black Company by Glen Cook

☠ Serving the Dark, Fighting for Survival
This legendary dark fantasy follows a mercenary company working for the Lady—a powerful, ruthless sorceress who was once thought to be defeated. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that not only is she far from gone—she is reclaiming her empire. And by the time the dust settles, the darkness has won, leaving no room for fairy-tale endings.

6. Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie

🗡 Revenge Has No Happy Ending
Monza Murcatto embarks on a blood-drenched quest for vengeance, cutting through everyone in her way. But as the bodies pile up, she realizes too late that revenge doesn’t bring peace—only more destruction. In Abercrombie’s world, the cycle of violence is endless, and the villains who thrive in it never truly lose.

7. 1984 by George Orwell (Honorable Mention – Dystopian Fantasy Blend)

👁 When Big Brother Always Wins
Though not a traditional fantasy novel, 1984 embodies one of the most chilling villain victories in literature. Winston Smith fights against an oppressive regime, daring to believe in rebellion. But in the end, the system is too powerful, too absolute. His mind, his will, his very soul are broken. Big Brother doesn’t just win—he ensures that no one ever truly fights again.

When Darkness Prevails

These stories remind us that not every tale ends with the hero standing victorious. Sometimes, the villain wins—not because they’re stronger, but because the world bends to their will. These books leave us haunted, questioning whether power is the ultimate truth and whether “good” ever really had a chance.

Which of these villainous victories unsettled you the most? Or do you have a favorite tale where darkness triumphs? Let me know!