Dark fantasy , also called Fantasy Horror , is a subgenre of fantasy literary, artistic, and cinematic works that incorporates disturbing and frightening themes. The term is ambiguously used to describe stories that combine horror elements with one or other of the standard formulas of fantasy.
73-514: Joseph Henry Delaney (25 July 1945 – 16 August 2022) was an English author. He was best known for his children's dark fantasy series, Spook's , inspired by the folklore , history and geography of Lancashire . The series has been published in 30 countries, achieving sales of over 4.5 million copies. Born in Preston, Lancashire , in 1945, Delaney started his career as a teacher, who later authored science fiction and fantasy novels under
146-540: A "dark fairy tale" fantasy film. Guillermo del Toro 's fantasy film Pan's Labyrinth (2006) has been described as a "sort of a dark spin on Alice in Wonderland ". The 2013 fantasy action role-playing game Dragon's Crown contains many elements of dark fantasy, such as werewolves, vampires, zombies, homonculi, and human-monster hybrids. Modern games from Japanese game development and publishing company FromSoftware are lauded as exceptional representations of
219-624: A 160-page play script, under the title The Spook's Apprentice - Play Edition . In the same year, a film adaptation of The Spook's Apprentice , titled Seventh Son , was released by Legendary Pictures ; it was directed by Sergey Bodrov . Ben Barnes starred as the main protagonist Tom Ward. The other cast members were Jeff Bridges as John Gregory (the Spook), Julianne Moore as Mother Malkin, Alicia Vikander as Alice Deane, Kit Harington as Billy Bradley, Djimon Hounsou as Radu (an original character), and Antje Traue as Bony Lizzie. In 2023,
292-472: A 160-page play script. In the same year, a film adaptation of The Spook's Apprentice was released by Legendary Pictures , directed by Sergey Bodrov , and entitled Seventh Son . Ben Barnes played Tom Ward, Jeff Bridges was the Spook, Julianne Moore was Mother Malkin, Alicia Vikander was Alice Deane, Kit Harington was Billy Bradley, Djimon Hounsou was Radu (an original character), and Antje Traue
365-461: A French graphic novel adaptation of The Spook's Apprentice was published under the title L'Épouvanteur, Tome 1: L'Apprenti épouvanteur . Pierre Oertel authored the text and Benjamin Bachelor provided the illustrations. The Spook's series has been published in 30 countries, with sales exceeding 4.5 million copies. Critical reception of the series has been positive, with two of the books in
438-435: A French graphic novel. The Spook's Apprentice marked the start of his highly acclaimed Spook's series, which eventually encompassed 20 books, along with several other works set in the same universe. After the publication of the series' second book, Delaney retired from teaching to become a full-time writer. Additionally, Delaney published two other series for children: the science fiction and fantasy trilogy Arena 13 , and
511-493: A daring quest to the southwest of Ireland, the Spook, Tom Ward, and Alice Deane confront a formidable Celtic witch and her allies, the goat mages, who seek to resurrect the ancient deity Pan . As Tom grapples with the relentless forces of darkness, he stumbles upon the Destiny Blade, a weapon with a sinister appetite for bloodshed. Despite daunting odds, their alliance gains strength with the unexpected arrival of Grimalkin,
584-426: A dark, often brooding, tone. As a result, dark fantasy cannot be solidly connected to a defining set of tropes . The term itself may refer collectively to tales that are either horror-based or fantasy-based. Some writers also use "dark fantasy" (or " Gothic fantasy ") as an alternative description to "horror", because they feel the latter term is too lurid or vivid. Charles L. Grant is often cited as having coined
657-410: A formidable witch assassin known for her allegiance to the dark. Together, they face formidable challenges and unearth dark secrets in their relentless pursuit to thwart the resurrection of Pan and preserve the fragile balance between light and shadow. Grimalkin, the formidable witch assassin, initially crosses paths with Tom Ward, whose fate is intertwined with becoming the apprentice to Master Gregory,
730-683: A god? Amidst despair, a glimmer of hope emerges as whispers suggest that the elusive creature lurking in the darkness may hold the key to salvation for the embattled County. The plot revolves around Brother Beowulf, a scribe for Spook Johnson, who embarks on a journey with Tom Ward and Alice Deane to rescue Johnson from a witch. Along the way, they encounter dangers and revelations about the nature of spooks and witches. As they confront various challenges and betrayals, including encounters with powerful beings like Circe , they must make difficult choices to protect themselves and their loved ones. Brother Wulf, apprentice to Spook Johnson, finds himself entangled in
803-596: A journey to confront the Pendle witches and confronts challenges that test his loyalty, courage, and resilience. The narrative unfolds with Tom Ward and Alice Deane navigating supernatural perils, including the resurgence of the Fiend and encounters with dark forces in Priestown. Simultaneously, Wulf undergoes a transformative journey, delving into his training with Hrothgar, confronting the bound wraiths, and ultimately facing
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#1732790927800876-400: A mission to find Grimalkin and Thorne, his companions in the fight against dark forces. As he navigates through Silverdale and Silvertown, facing traps and revelations, Wulf grapples with prophecies foretelling his demise and the machinations of trickster gods. Alongside Jenny and other allies, Wulf confronts demons and witches, engaging in battles that shape the fate of both the mortal realm and
949-457: A play script, a feature film titled Seventh Son , and a French graphic novel. The main series consists of 20 books, with three arcs. The Wardstone Chronicles , follows Thomas "Tom" Ward's journey as he apprentices under John Gregory, the spook of the County, situated in a fictionalized Lancashire . Through his mentorship, Tom masters the skills to confront supernatural threats. However, as
1022-477: A serial killer would simply be horror. Stableford suggests that the type of horror conveyed by fantasy stories such as William Beckford 's Vathek and Edgar Allan Poe 's The Masque of the Red Death "is more aesthetic than visceral or existential", and that such stories should be considered "dark fantasies" rather than the "supernaturalized thrillers" of conventional horror fiction. Karl Edward Wagner
1095-449: A series of conflicts. Tom, guided by Gregory's teachings, confronts the witches using traditional tools like rowan wood and silver. Ultimately, Malkin is destroyed when Tom lures her into a pig pen, solidifying Tom's apprenticeship while leaving Alice as an uneasy ally in the ongoing battle against the forces of darkness. In the heart of Priestown's cathedral catacombs, the Spook and his apprentice, Tom Ward, confront their long-standing foe,
1168-403: A shadowy figure emerged from the coal cellar, picked him up, and carried him into darkness. Delaney attended Preston Catholic College and then worked as an apprentice engineer. He took his A-Levels at night school before studying English, history and sociology as a mature student at Lancaster University , at the age of 27. Following graduation, he studied at St Martin's College to become
1241-481: A teacher. He later became an English teacher at Blackpool Sixth Form College , where he started the Media and Film Studies Department. In the 1980s Delaney completed an Open University degree in an effort to become a computer programmer. In 1983, he moved to the village of Stalmine , where he learned and noted down that a priest had once encountered a boggart in the area. Delaney's first works were published under
1314-429: A trilogy published from 2014 to 2017, continuing the adventures of Tom Ward, who has finished his apprenticeship and is now a Spook in his own right dedicated to fighting an unparalleled evil threatening the County, and the world. Throughout the trilogy, Tom mentors his own apprentice, Jenny, as they face daunting challenges together. This was then followed by Brother Wulf , published from 2020 to 2023; four books following
1387-518: A world of magic and danger. He encounters allies like Tom Ward, Alice Deane, and Tilda, as well as adversaries such as Circe and the Malkin clan. Through battles, trials, and sacrifices, Wulf discovers his own powers and learns to navigate the complexities of the supernatural realm. With the guidance of mentors like Hrothgar and Grimalkin, Wulf confronts dark forces and ultimately plays a crucial role in defeating Circe. Alongside his companions, he embarks on
1460-402: Is in contrast to the traditional horror model, which focuses more on the victims and survivors. In a more general sense, dark fantasy is occasionally used as a synonym for supernatural horror , to distinguish horror stories that contain elements of the supernatural from those that do not. For example, a story about a werewolf or vampire could be described as dark fantasy, while a story about
1533-480: Is often credited for creating the term "dark fantasy" when used in a more fantasy-based context. Wagner used it to describe his fiction about the Gothic warrior Kane . Since then, "dark fantasy" has sometimes been applied to sword and sorcery and high fantasy fiction that features anti-heroic or morally ambiguous protagonists. Another good example under this definition of dark fantasy is Michael Moorcock 's saga of
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#17327909278001606-507: Is read by Daniel Weyman . The US audiobooks were produced by Harper Audio . Christopher Evan Welch read books 1 through 10, and he was joined by Angela Goethals in reading Book 11. Welch also read the short story collection The Spook's Tale And Other Horrors . Welch died of lung cancer in 2013. Angela Goethals read Book 12 and Alexander Cendese read Book 13. In 2014, Stephen Delaney, Joseph Delaney's son, along with his father, published an adaption of The Spook's Apprentice into
1679-425: Is sometimes used for "darker" fiction written by authors best known for other styles of fantasy; Raymond Feist 's Faerie Tale and Charles de Lint 's novels written as Samuel M. Key would fit here. Roald Dahl 's novel The Witches (and its film adaptations) is described as dark fantasy. Dahl's poetic reworking of " Cinderella " (which features in his poetry collection Revolting Rhymes ) sees him upend
1752-536: The Fiend , the father of all evil, for all eternity. The County referenced in the series is based on Lancashire in the North of England . Various County fictional towns are thinly-veiled modern day cities; for example, the town of Priestown is based on Preston (where the author was born); Caster is Lancaster ; Black Pool is Blackpool ; Chipenden is Chipping . The first arc was followed by The Starblade Chronicles ,
1825-694: The Lancashire Book of the Year . The Spook's series achieved international success chronicling the adventures of Delaney's lead character, Tom Ward , who is apprenticed to John Gregory, the local spook, to help protect the County from the Dark. It has been published in 30 countries, with sales exceeding 4.5 million copies. Following the publication of the second book in the series, Delaney retired from teaching to write full-time. Delaney authored two additional series for children. From 2015 to 2017, he published
1898-528: The albino swordsman Elric . The fantasy work of H. P. Lovecraft , Clark Ashton Smith and their emulators have been specified as "dark fantasy", since the imaginary worlds they depicted contain many horror elements. Dark fantasy is occasionally used to describe fantasy works by authors whom the public primarily associates with the horror genre. Examples of these are Stephen King 's The Dark Tower series, Peter Straub 's Shadowland and Clive Barker 's Weaveworld . Alternatively, dark fantasy
1971-432: The buggane 's wrath if found guilty. Lord Barrule, a formidable shaman aligned with the buggane, adds to their peril. However, their challenges escalate with the return of Bony Lizzie, driven by a vengeful quest against the Spook for her years of imprisonment in his garden's pit. Amidst the chaos and looming threats, the trio must navigate treacherous alliances and confront the darkness that threatens to consume them all. In
2044-469: The Bane to aid their cause. With the Spook imprisoned and facing execution, Tom, aided by Alice and the Bane, must rescue his mentor and lift Priestown's curse. Alice, too, grows to fear the Bane's influence, aligning with Tom and the Spook to devise a plan against it. In a final showdown, Tom and Alice confront the Bane, with Alice making a crucial plea for their safety. Seizing the opportunity, Thomas vanquishes
2117-457: The Bane, a formidable creature undefeated by the Spook. However, their battle is complicated by the arrival of the Quisitor, an enforcer hunting those who dabble in dark arts. Meanwhile, Alice Deane strikes a perilous pact with the Bane, feeding it her blood and risking total control. Despite the Spook's apprehension, Tom's deepening friendship with Alice draws them closer, even as she manipulates
2190-477: The Bane, liberating Priestown from its malevolent grip. As winter settles in, the Spook is disturbed by the unexpected arrival of a stranger, prompting a hasty relocation from Chipenden to the winter house at Anglezarke , much to Tom's confusion. The winter residence, shrouded in darkness, harbours a cellar teeming with bound witches and boggarts, adding to its ominous aura. As the cold months pass, Tom delves deeper into his master's history, unravelling secrets about
2263-460: The Dark. Tom soon discovers that most of John Gregory's apprentices have failed for various reasons, including being killed in the process of learning how to be a Spook. As the arc progresses, the focus expands to other characters such as the young witch Alice Deane and the witch assassin Grimalkin. Overall, the series develops the plotline of Tom being destined to save the world or be tortured by
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2336-442: The Fiend once and for all. As Slither and Nessa navigate the dangers that surround them, they find themselves entangled in a deadly game of survival amidst Grimalkin's relentless pursuit and the looming shadow of darkness. Alice Deane, the steadfast companion of Tom Ward, embarks on a harrowing journey into the heart of darkness. Having battled alongside the Spook and Tom Ward against malevolent forces, Alice now finds herself alone in
2409-515: The Fiend's reign ends, Tom grapples with the aftermath, seeking solace in protecting the County and honouring the legacy of his fallen mentor, John Gregory. Amidst the turmoil, Tom's journey unfolds with themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit against the encroaching darkness. Tom Ward assumes the mantle of the Chippenden Spook after his mentor John Gregory's death. Tom faces new challenges, including
2482-488: The Fiend's severed head, a pivotal component essential for their mission's success. Grimalkin's lethal skills and unwavering determination infuse the narrative with intrigue and intensity as they navigate the perilous journey ahead. The story unfolds with Tom Ward's visit to Malkin Tower, where he confronts the harrowing truth about the necessary steps to vanquish the Fiend once and for all, leaving him grappling with despair and
2555-462: The Fiend, is torn between his loyalty to his master, the Spook, and his duty to his mother, Mam, who reveals her identity as lamia with a complex past. As they journey to Greece to confront the Ordeen, Tom grapples with dark forces, including the Fiend's temptations and the use of dark magic by allies and enemies alike. Amidst betrayals, traps, and sacrifices, including Mam's ultimate sacrifice to stall
2628-576: The Kobalos incursion threatening the County. Alongside him is Jenny, a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, who possesses unique magical abilities. As they confront a Kobalos mage terrorising the land, Tom must retrieve the Starblade, a powerful weapon buried with his mentor. Grimalkin, a former ally turned adversary, complicates matters with her vendetta against the Kobalos. Tom's journey unfolds amidst freezing temperatures and escalating danger, setting
2701-476: The Mouldheel clan, he uncovers deep-seated secrets about his lineage and his mother's ties to dark forces. Through harrowing trials and sacrifices, Tom ultimately confronts the impending threat of the Fiend, defying grim prophecies and summoning courage to protect his loved ones and confront the darkness lurking within and beyond the County's borders. Sent north to be trained by Bill Arkwright, Tom Ward confronts
2774-589: The Ordeen, Tom faces his destiny as a fighter against the Dark. Through Mam's letters and a final spiritual encounter, Tom finds closure and resolve to continue his apprenticeship, now with Alice Deane, the daughter of the Fiend, by his side, as they navigate the treacherous waters of the supernatural realm. As war engulfs the County, the Spook, Tom, and Alice Deane seek refuge on the perilous Isle of Mona, only to find themselves ensnared in its turmoil. The island's inhabitants are gripped by fear and suspicion, subjecting suspected witches to cruel tests and sentencing them to
2847-460: The Spook's insistence, Tom and Alice Dean embark on a mission to retrieve the trunks, only to find their family abducted by witches and held in Pendle . Amidst revelations about the Spook's past and the identity of his mysterious visitor, Father Stocks, Tom navigates a treacherous landscape where alliances shift and betrayals abound. As Tom confronts his family's captors, including Mistress Wurmalde and
2920-413: The Spook, Tom embarks on a perilous battle against overwhelming dark forces. However, the Spook's mistake, with its potentially dire consequences, threatens to tip the scales in favour of the darkness, testing the limits of Tom's resilience and challenging the collective strength of his allies against the looming shadow of the Fiend's influence. Tom Ward, confronted with the looming threat of the Ordeen and
2993-426: The Spook. Despite their initial adversarial encounter, Grimalkin's motivations are fueled by her relentless quest for vengeance against those responsible for her son's brutal demise. Driven by her personal vendetta, Grimalkin elects to ally herself with Tom and the Spook in their daring endeavour to bind the Fiend, a malevolent force threatening their world. Central to their strategy is the imperative task of safeguarding
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3066-452: The adventures of Brother Wulf, a young noviciate monk, and Tom Ward. In the County, Thomas "Tom" Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son, becomes apprenticed to John Gregory, a Spook who combats supernatural beings like boggarts , ghosts , and witches . Despite warnings, Tom befriends Alice Deane, a conflicted witch with ties to dangerous relatives, including Mother Malkin and Bony Lizzie. Alice inadvertently aids Malkin's escape, setting off
3139-778: The books. The Last Apprentice: A Coven of Witches was illustrated by Tim Foley and The Spook's Bestiary was illustrated by Julek Heller. Unabridged audiobook versions of the series have been released in both the United Kingdom and the United States. The UK audiobooks were produced by Random House Audio . Jamie Glover read Book 1 and Will Thorp read Book 2. Thomas Judd read books 3 through 8, and books 10 and 13. Gabrielle Glaister read Book 9, Toby Longworth and Kate Harbour jointly read Book 11, and Annie Hemingway read Book 12. Random House Audio also produced an abridged version of The Spook's Apprentice which
3212-442: The chaos, the Spook's blood is spilled, and the malevolent Vampire God, Siscoi, is unleashed from the depths of darkness, escalating the perilous stakes they face. Slither, a creature devoid of humanity, roams beyond the protective confines of the County, preying upon unsuspecting humans by feasting on their blood as they sleep. When a local farmer passes away, Slither sees an opportunity to indulge in his sinister desires by targeting
3285-490: The dark fantasy duology Aberrations . Delaney died in Manchester in 2022, at the age of 77. His final book, Brother Wulf: Wulf's War , was published posthumously the following year. Joseph Henry Delaney was born on 25 July 1945 in Preston, Lancashire , the son of a labourer. He was the oldest of four children. As a child, Delaney had a recurring nightmare where he sat with his mother while she knitted, when, suddenly,
3358-692: The dark fantasy genre, notably the Dark Souls series along with Bloodborne and later Elden Ring . Thomas Jason Ward Spook's , published as The Last Apprentice in the United States, is a children's dark fantasy series by English author Joseph Delaney . It is published by imprints of Penguin Random House in the United Kingdom and HarperCollins in the United States. The series has been published in 30 countries, with sales exceeding 4.5 million copies. It started in 2004 with The Spook's Apprentice , which has been adapted into
3431-452: The daunting challenge of destroying the Fiend. As the threads of their stories intertwine, themes of sacrifice, destiny, and the struggle against malevolent forces weave a gripping narrative that culminates in a climactic showdown against the darkness. The prologue sets the stage for his encounters with powerful entities like Golgoth, the Lord of Winter, and the enigmatic Loki . Wulf embarks on
3504-427: The enigmatic visitor, revealed to be the Spook's arch-nemesis, Morgan Hurst, a necromancer , who seeks to resurrect an old god. The unfolding revelations shed light on the Spook's past and the intricate web of conflicts that define their ongoing struggle against dark forces. Tom's mother's departure to Greece marks a pivotal shift in his life as he discovers three trunks she left behind, meant only for him to open. Upon
3577-403: The farmer's daughters. However, the farmer strikes a deal with Slither: in exchange for safeguarding the younger girls, Slither is granted permission to claim the eldest daughter, Nessa, as he pleases. Thus begins a perilous journey fraught with treachery, where adversaries lurk at every corner. Among these foes is Grimalkin, the formidable witch assassin, relentlessly pursuing a means to obliterate
3650-476: The final hero blade and cryptic instructions to Tom, he is confronted with the weight of his responsibilities as the Spook's apprentice. However, secrets emerge, including Tom's mother's identity as the first lamia, shedding light on his family's tangled history. The discovery of the Wardstone's mysterious powers and ominous prophecies heightens the sense of impending doom, leading to a relentless pursuit to thwart
3723-438: The happy tale. Berserk , a manga and anime franchise by Kentaro Miura that debuted in 1989, is frequently noted as an example of the genre due to its depictions of extreme violence, moral ambiguity, apocalyptic storylines and anti-hero protagonists. Attack on Titan is a dark fantasy for its intense violence and the dystopian world it takes place in. Ridley Scott 's film Legend (1985) has been described as
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#17327909278003796-408: The looming darkness before it returns to the County, altering the world irreversibly. In the shadowy realm between earth and oblivion, an enigmatic assassin stalks, their identity and purpose shrouded in mystery. As the people of the County cower in fear of encroaching beasts determined to wage war on their land, the daunting question arises: How can they withstand adversaries empowered by the might of
3869-421: The narrative unfolds, Tom finds himself confronting an even greater peril: the Fiend . The Starblade Chronicles , extends the adventures of Tom Ward, now a Spook, battling a grave evil endangering the County and beyond. Tom mentors his apprentice, Jenny, amidst formidable challenges. Brother Wulf , features the exploits of Brother Wulf, a novice monk, and Tom Ward. There are also several related works set in
3942-405: The nature of heroism. The Wardstone Chronicles , was published from 2004 to 2013. In the United Kingdom, the hardbook editions were published by The Bodley Head , an imprint of Penguin , and paperbacks by Red Fox , an imprint of Random House . In the United States, it was published by Greenwillow , an imprint of HarperCollins . The Starblade Chronicles , was published from 2014 to 2017 by
4015-407: The pen name J. K. Haderack . After struggling to find success as an author of books for adults, Delaney transitioned to writing children's books under his real name, beginning with the publication of The Spook's Apprentice , in 2004. The book was widely successful, selling over 3 million copies and winning multiple awards. It has been adapted into a play script, the feature film Seventh Son , and
4088-494: The pen name J. K. Haderack, a reference to the Kwisatz Haderach from Frank Herbert 's Dune universe . After struggling to find success publishing science fiction and fantasy books for adults, his agent encouraged him to try writing for a younger audience to meet the brief of a children's publisher. To fulfil the requirements of the brief, Delaney wrote a novel based on a story he had first written in 1993, which
4161-404: The relentless challenges of Arkwright's harsh tutelage in the haunted mill amidst treacherous marshlands. As Tom grapples with the rigorous training, the stakes escalate when the Fiend dispatches his formidable daughter, Morwena, a potent water witch, to obliterate Tom. Arkwright's error in judgement leaves Tom vulnerable, forcing him to confront his adversaries alone. With the aid of Alice Deane and
4234-406: The resurgence of the Fiend. Despite valiant efforts, Tom faces heart-wrenching betrayals, including Alice's defection to the dark side under the influence of Lukrasta. With allies lost and adversaries closing in, Tom confronts formidable challenges, including a climactic battle against Lukrasta and the daunting task of preserving the County's fragile balance of light and shadow. As the dust settles and
4307-455: The same publishers. Brother Wulf was published from 2020 to 2023 by Puffin , which is also an imprint of Penguin. The illustrator for the UK versions David Wyatt , providing the original series covers and the illustrations for each chapter. The US versions were illustratied by Patrick Arrasmith; in addition to the cover art, Arrasmith designed pen and ink drawings which precede every chapter in
4380-475: The same world, including two short story compilations, a bestiary , and two novellas. The first arc of the series titled The Wardstone Chronicles , published from 2004 to 2013, follows Thomas "Tom" Ward, the seventh son of a seventh son who is apprenticed to the County's spook, John Gregory; a master fighter of supernatural evil. The Spook gives Tom practical instruction on tackling ghosts , ghasts, witches , boggarts , and all manner of other things that serve
4453-401: The science fiction and fantasy trilogy Arena 13 . The trilogy follows the journey of Leif, a sixteen-year-old determined to conquer the notorious fighting pit, Arena 13, and vanquish Hob, the malevolent being reigning over and terrorizing the city zone of Midgard city, who is responsible for Leif's family's death. From 2018 to 2019, he published the dark fantasy duology Aberrations , which tells
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#17327909278004526-418: The stage for the next chapter in the battle against darkness. In the aftermath of Tom Ward's death, despair grips those left behind as they face the impending threat of a dark army poised to plunge the world into eternal winter. With Tom gone, the pressing question looms: Who will step up to continue the battle against the forces of darkness? As time dwindles, the remaining allies must rally together to confront
4599-625: The story of Crafty; trapped in the Shole's mist, Crafty must train as a gate grub in the Castle, operating portals for the Gatemancers guild and relying on his cunning to survive. Delaney identified J. R. R. Tolkien and Frank Herbert as his two biggest inspirations. Similar to Bram Stoker , author of Dracula , Delaney used his dreams to help write his stories, and never plotted or planned his stories in advance. Delaney travelled widely to boost
4672-404: The supernatural domain. Amidst alliances and betrayals, Wulf's quest leads him to face Golgoth himself, culminating in a climactic showdown that tests his resolve and resourcefulness. With the epilogue hinting at the possibility of temporal manipulation and reflections on the consequences of altering the past, Wulf's odyssey comes full circle, leaving lingering questions about destiny, sacrifice, and
4745-653: The term "dark fantasy". Grant defined his brand of dark fantasy as "a type of horror story in which humanity is threatened by forces beyond human understanding". He often used dark fantasy as an alternative to horror , as horror was increasingly associated with more visceral works. Dark fantasy is sometimes also used to describe stories told from a monster 's point of view, or that present a more sympathetic view of supernatural beings usually associated with horror. Anne Rice 's The Vampire Chronicles , Chelsea Quinn Yarbro 's Saint-Germain , and Neil Gaiman 's The Sandman are early examples of this style of dark fantasy. This
4818-728: The term "dark fantasy"—although both authors were describing different styles of fiction. Brian Stableford argues "dark fantasy" can be usefully defined as subgenre of stories that attempt to "incorporate elements of horror fiction" into the standard formulae of fantasy stories. Stableford also suggests that supernatural horror set primarily in the real world is a form of " contemporary fantasy ", whereas supernatural horror set partly or wholly in " secondary worlds " should be described as "dark fantasy". Additionally, other authors, critics, and publishers have adopted dark fantasy to describe various other works. However, these stories rarely share universal similarities beyond supernatural occurrences and
4891-424: The treacherous realm of the dark. Unbeknownst to Tom, Alice harbours dark secrets from her past, haunting memories she hoped to leave behind forever. Now faced with the daunting task of acquiring the final weapon essential for vanquishing the Fiend, Alice confronts the daunting prospect of her own mortality. Failure to secure the weapon would plunge the world into perpetual darkness and despair, while success may demand
4964-436: The ultimate sacrifice—her own life at the hands of Tom. As Alice grapples with the encroaching darkness threatening to consume her, she must summon the strength to resist its insidious allure and prevent its malevolent grasp from overwhelming her completely. Tom Ward finds himself grappling with profound revelations and mounting threats as he navigates a treacherous path fraught with darkness and betrayal. As Alice Deane delivers
5037-476: The visibility of his books, frequently choosing New Zealand and Singapore for winter stays due to his aversion to cold weather. However, the majority of his time was devoted to his native county, Lancashire, which served as a profound inspiration for all of his literary works. Delaney, who was living in Manchester , died on 16 August 2022 at the age of 77 after a period of illness. He was working on his final book, Brother Wulf: Wulf's War , right up to his death. It
5110-532: The weight of his destiny. Subsequently, Tom and John Gregory are enticed to Todmorden under the guise of replenishing the Chipenden library's books, only to encounter a town plagued by fear and ominous foreboding after sundown. As they confront the lurking darkness, they find themselves embroiled in a desperate battle for survival against sinister forces, where even the formidable alliance of Tom, John Gregory, Alice Deane, and Grimalkin may prove insufficient. Amidst
5183-470: Was Bony Lizzie. In 2023, a French graphic novel adaptation of the book, titled L'Épouvanteur, Tome 1: L'Apprenti épouvanteur , was released. It was written by Pierre Oertel and illustrated by Benjamin Bachelor. Dark fantasy A strict definition for dark fantasy is difficult to pin down. Gertrude Barrows Bennett has been called "the woman who invented dark fantasy". Both Charles L. Grant and Karl Edward Wagner are credited with having coined
5256-552: Was inspired by Stalmine's boggart, as well as the folklore , history and geography of Lancashire . He also drew on his childhood memories and experiences. In 2004, it was published as The Spook's Apprentice under his real name, becoming the first book of his dark fantasy Spook's series. The book was widely successful, selling over 3 million copies and winning the Sefton Book Award, Hampshire Book Award and Prix Plaisirs de Lire, as well as being shortlisted for
5329-544: Was published posthumously in 2023. Delaney married Marie Smith in 1968. They had three children and nine grandchildren. She died of cancer in 2007. In 2014, he married Rani Kuncher Vannithamby. Delaney shared his name, including his middle name, with Joseph H. Delaney (1932–1999), an American science fiction author of several books and short stories. In 2014, Stephen Delaney, the son of Joseph Delaney, collaborated with his father to publish The Spook's Apprentice – Play Edition , an adaptation of The Spook's Apprentice into
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