**Update** I don't make videos anymore-- but this video and topic is near and dear to me and so I wanted to post an updated of Soulslike books that I've read since making this. Enjoy, Ashen Ones! **Soulslike Reading Rex** **Demon Souls & Dark Souls** *Berserk by Kentaro Miura* *Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson* *Lost Gods by Brom* *Empire of the Wolf by Richard Swan* *Blackdog by K.V. Johansen* *Shadow & Claw by Gene Wolfe* *The Black company by Glen Cook* *Sword of Shadows series by JV Jones* *Lapvona by Otessa Moshfegh* *Hild by Nicola Griffith* *Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake* *The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro* *God's Demon by Wayne Barlowe* **Bloodborne** *Star Eater by Kerstin Hall* *Lost Gods by Brom* *The Helm of Midnight by Marina Lostetter* *Leech by Hiron Ennes* *Elric of Melniboné by Michael Moorcock* *Monster Blood Tattoo by DM Cornish* *Berserk by Kentaro Miura* *Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys* *Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff* **Sekiro** *Outlaw: Champions of Kamigawa by Scott McGough* *Berserk by Kentaro Miura* *Dororo by Osamu Tezuka* *The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso* *The Border Keeper by Kerstin Hall* **Elden Ring** *Berserk by Kentaro Miura* *Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson* *Lost Gods by Brom* *Empire of the Wolf by Richard Swan* *Mordew by Alex Pheby* *Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda* *Blackdog by K.V. Johansen* *Shadow & Claw by Gene Wolfe* *Gormenghast Trilogy by Mervyn Peake*

Twitter told me book of the new sun, so that's my starting point

I love how enthusiastic you are about these games, I myself absolutely love them, there's something about exploring a new fromsoft world that just feels so exciting and mysterious. Thanks for the book recs, Berzerk is another I would recommend, Miyazika is on record, having said that dark souls was heavily influenced by it. Praise the sun. 🌞

I just started reading Book of the New Sun by Gene Wolfe. It's technically sci-fi, but has a fantasy coat of paint. The prose is beautiful, cryptic, archaic, and uses a lot of environmental storytelling. I know I've already missed a lot of hidden stuff, and to make things even more complex, the story & world are being delivered to you through an unreliable narrator. If you like Malazan, there is absolutely no reason to not check this out. Those who like one tend to like the other as well.

A little late but thank you so much, have searched so much for more souls-like content.

Well my TBR just increased by 4 after this video, so thank you! I'm surprised to have never heard of most of these books though they all sound so interesting. My recommendation for you would be The Vagrant by Peter Newman. I haven't seen any word from the writer but he has to be Soulsborne player. The book features a world on the brink of complete collapse, monster bosses, demon dogs, and even a mute main character. It felt like I was playing through Soulslike as I was reading.

Definitely Book of the New Sun

Eleventh Cycle_ you will love this book :)

Check out William Hope Hodgson the Nightlands. It has two versions and I would suggest the latter. I think one could argue this book is the original grimdark fantasy.

What reminds me Dark souls? Jack of shadows by Zelazny, where the main character shall start from same place when he dies, and Elrik of Melnibone by Moorcock.

About to finish the main Malazan series and BlackDog could be a definite followup for me, almost sounds like it could take place in the Warhammer universe.

Pyresouls is basically a love letter

I don't play these games but I have watched gameplay on each of them. Great video, dope recommendations!

Im a pretty big fan of the Souls games and I would like some books with similar experiences, great video this really helped me find some series that i didn't know about. Thanks! Also, if you like the Souls games but haven't read Berserk, i highly recommend it, i mean Berserk inspired Dark Souls for crying out loud!

Malazan was my first thought, too. Blackdog sounds awesome! I was also thinking of trying some of the MTG books, but wasn't sure where to start. Are the Kawigama books a good place or are there others that would be better?

Great video idea! 👌

What are your thoughts on Dark Souls: Masque of Vindication?

Berserk

Great video, can't believe the youtube algorithm hid you from meee. UNACCEPTABLE!

I’ve been told-not read it myself yet-that BETWEEN TWO FIRES by Christopher Buehlman gives Bloodborne vibes. I’d love to get your take on why Bloodborne is your favorite, ‘cause it’s mine, too. Beating the game was so satisfying.