If you like "Demon Cycle" by Peter V. Brett, then you might enjoy...


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Book cover: The Painted Man

This article contains the best list of similar recommendations to the Demon Cycle book series. The first book The Painted Man is an excellent book, and most of the other books are just as good. Hopefully, our recommendations will bring you many more hours of great entertainment.

Most of our recommendations are other book series similar to the Demon Cycle, but we have added some more to. We have some book suggestions that are not that similar, they are meant to give some new direction to look in. 

But we have also added suggestions from other mediums. You can find some movies, anime, and TV show recommendations similar to The Demon Cycle.

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Demons possessing supernatural powers come up from the center of the earth at night.

And they are hungry for human flesh.

Humans have to hide inside between magic wards for protection or risk almost certain death.

After centuries with the demon threat the human population dwindles. Most of the ancient wards are forgotten.

Humanity no longer knows how to fight back.

But three young survivors of demon attacks, Arlen, Leesha, and Rojer, dare to fight back.

Visit titlefindr for more recommendations like "The Painted Man".

Books like The Painted Man (Demon Cycle #1)

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Book cover: The Way of Kings
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Roshar is a world of stone and storms.

The Storm-father, an uncanny tempest of incredible power, sweep across the rocky terrain frequently. It has done so as long as anyone can remember.

The Storm-father has shaped ecology and civilization alike with its incredible power.

Animals hide in shells, trees pull in branches, and grass retracts into the soilless ground. Cities are built only where the topography offers shelter.

In The Way of Kings, the first book of The Stormlight Archive, we follow three main protagonists.

Kaladin, who traded his promising medical apprenticeship for a spear to protect his little brother. But only to be twice betrayed by his Brightlord and ends up in slavery.

Brightlord Dalinar Kholin, brother of the late king, commander of one of the armies, and follower of The Way of Kings.

And Shallan, who is seeking to train under an eminent scholar and notorious heretic, Dalinars niece, Jasnah. Though she genuinely loves learning, Shallan’s motives are less than pure.

Is The Stormlight Archive good?

The Stormlight Archive is highly recommended.

The first book in this series is very promising. Sanderson is an excellent and productive author. This series is just like his other books. Excellent worldbuilding, top-notch magic system, and interesting characters.

If you like fantasy books, then this is a must-read.

Why is The Stormlight Archive recommended?

The Stormlight Archive also has that postapocalyptic feel to it where humans have to adapt to a hard environment to survive.

It also follows three main characters and both series are Epic Fantasy series.

If you like The Painted Man (The Demon Cycle) and want more like it then we can definitely recommend The Stormlight Archive. It's a superb book series.

Why: recommended epic fantasy postapocalyptic

Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle #1) by Patrick Rothfuss

Book cover: Name of the Wind
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Kingkiller Chronicle is a first-person story of a young man who grows to be the most notorious magician his world has ever seen.

From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, and to his years spent as an orphan suer rat in a crime-ridden city. Then to his daring yet successful gamble to enter a legendary school of magic. And then how he learns magic and grows to become the notorious magician he once will become.

Is Kingkiller Chronicle good?

This book starts out a little slow, but it becomes one of the better fantasy books there is.

Kingkiller Chronicle is a must-read for any fantasy book lover.

Sadly it looks like Rothfuss is starting to compete with George RR Martin on who is the slowest.

Why is Kingkiller Chronicle recommended?

Both books follow the classical fantasy theme about a nobody young boy growing up with great gifts. They are both gifted "magicians".

In The Painted Man the magic system contains written/carved wards while in The Name of the Wind the magic system is build-up by multiple more standard parts.

Why: recommended epic fantasy

Mistborn (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Book cover: Mistborn
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The World has been a wasteland of ash and mist for over a thousand years. The Lord Ruler of this world, the "Sliver of Infinity", has reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror.

Every revolt against The Lord Ruler has failed miserably.

But then a terribly scarred and heart-broken half-Skaa in the depths of the Lord Ruler`s most hellish prison snapped. His name is Kelsier, and when he snapped he suddenly found himself with the powers of a Mistborn.

A Mistborn can burn all sixteen of the Allomantic metals.

Kelsier is a brilliant thief, con man, and a natural leader. He decided to turn his talents to the ultimate play.

A play with theLord Ruler himself as the mark.

For this ultimate play, he recruited the underworld`s elite. The smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom capable of burning one of the Allomantic metals.

Kelsier`s plan looks more like the ultimate long shot until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life.

Vin has the potential to become a Mistborn like Kelsier himself.

Is Mistborn good?

This is the first book in the Mistborn series. Both this book and the rest of the series is really good.

This series has detailed world-building, especially the magic system, and an interesting main character. Sanderson shines on these points. Hi is an excellent epic fantasy author.

If you like fantasy books then Mistborn should be a must-read.

Why is Mistborn recommended?

Mistborn also has that postapocalyptic feel to it where humans have to adapt to a hard environment to survive.

If you like The Demon Cycle and want another Epic Fantasy series similar to it then we recommend Mistborn. It's a very good fantasy series.

Why: recommended postapocalyptic

Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows #1) by Kim Harrison

Book cover: Dead Witch Walking
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Rachel Mariana Morgan is a witch in her twenties. She is a part-owner of Vampiric Charms.

Vampiric Charms is a freelance runner and security service.

The other owners of Vampiric Charms are Ivy Tamwood and Jenks. Ivy Tamwood is a living vampire that will become a full vampire if she dies, and Jenks, a small pixy.

They used to work together at the vampire-run federal Inderland Security (IS). It's a police service for the supernatural.

Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks, decided to start their own company together, Vampiric Charms.

They live and work together from a decommissioned stone church. The church is in the Hollows district of Cincinnati and has an attached garden and graveyard. Rachel specializes in simple herb-based earth magic. The Curch garden is important for Rachels's magic.

Is The Hollows good?

Overall, an exciting, fun read, that`s hard to put down.

This is a highly recommended Fast-paced and captivating book series.

Why is The Hollows recommended?

The Hollows is an Urban Fantasy and not an Epic Fantasy series, but it contains some demonic elements.

It is not that similar to the Demon Cycle, but if you want something slightly different but still with some similar elements then The Hollows is worth checking out.

Why not: different

Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1) by Jim Butcher

Book cover: Furies of Calderon
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The people of Alera are bound with furies, elementals of earth, water, air, fire, and metal.

The teenager Tavi stands out from all other people in Alere, he has no furycrafting.

However, Tavi manages to get by with brains and courage, even when everyone else has the power of furies backing them.

When his homeland erupts in chaos, when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies, Tavi's simple furyles courage will turn the tides of war.

Is Codex Alera good?

Furies of Calderon is the first book of Codex Alera, a finished six-book series.

This is an excellent series, and I absolutely recommend people loving fantasy books to read it.

Why is Codex Alera recommended?

Codex Alera also has spirit-like beings.

In the wilder parts of the land they also some times roam free and wreak havoc.

If you like The Painted Man (The Demon Cycle series) then Codex Alera might also be to your taste.

Why: recommended

Sabriel (Abhorsen #1)

Book cover: Sabriel
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Two neighboring countries are divided by a wall, Ancelstierre to the south, and The Old Kingdom to the north.

Ancelstierre has a technology level and society similar to that of early-20th century England. The Old Kingdom has a more medieval technological level, but they do have both Free Magic and Charter Magic. This last tidbit is officially denied by the government of Ancelstierre and disbelieved by most of its inhabitants.

Sabriel is in her last year at Wyverley College, a private school in Ancelstierre that lies close to the wall to The Old Kingdom.

When an undead creature enters their dormitory Sabriel notices it is attempting to communicate. It is a messenger from her father, the Abhorsen, who is now past the Seventh Gate of Death.

The message tells Sabriel that she is to take on the role of Abhorsen and defeat Kerrigor, a powerful necromancer who is attempting to make his way back into Life.

The undead messenger gives Sabriel the Abhorsen's bandolier of bells, the Abhorsen's sword, and a map of The Old Kingdom.

Sabriel leaves Wyverley College and travels into the mystical land of the Old Kingdom.

Is Abhorsen good?

Sabriel is a really great book and the rest of the Abhorsen books are just as good. They are YA books, but they are still worth reading for adults.

Why is Abhorsen recommended?

Abhorsen have is mainly focused on a younger audience, but it is still great for us older folks.

The spirits in Abhorsen are of the dead, that's not the case in The Warded Man.

Why not: younger audience

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin

Book cover: A Game of Thrones
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A Song of Ice and Fire is set in a medieval-like fantasy world. A world where summers span decades and winters can last a lifetime.

The characters in this epic story are struggling amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, in the only game that matters, the game of thrones.

In the game of thrones, you either win or you die, there is no middle ground.

Is A Song of Ice and Fire good?

This is an excellent book series.

It is sadly not finished jet. It will probably take decades before it is finished unless the author gets his finger out of his ass.

Why is A Song of Ice and Fire recommended?

A Song of Ice and Fire not too similar.

It follows multiple people and it does not follow the coming of age part that is so common in fantasy books.

Why: epic fantasy very good
Why not: less simmilar

Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian #1) by Diana Rowland

Book cover: Mark of the Demon
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Kara Gillian is a detective and a summoner of daemons.

During a routine summoning she accidentally summoned Rhyzkahl, an angelic human-looking creature. She just wanted to use her skill to track down a serial killer.

What is this powerful un-daemon looking creature? And can she stop the serial killer?

Is Kara Gillian good?

Mark of the Demon is the first book in the Kara Gillian series. It is a really great book, just like the rest of them.

Why is Kara Gillian recommended?

The Kara Gillian series is not that similar to The Demon Cycle, but it has demonic elements as a similarity.

Why not: different

Blood Song (Raven's Shadow #1) by Anthony Ryan

Book cover: Blood Song
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Vaelin Al Sorna was only a ten-year-old child when his father left him at the gate of the Sixth Order.

The Sixth Order wields the sword of justice and smites the enemies of the Faith and the Realm. There are seven orders of faith in total, all with their own special field of responsibility.

Vaelin will be trained and hardened to have a chance to survive the dangerous life of a warrior of the Faith. He has no family save the Order, his brothers in arms.

Vaelin Al Sorna is destined for a future he has yet to comprehend. A future that will alter not only the Realm but the world.

Is Raven's Shadow good?

Blood Song is the first book in the Raven's Shadow series.

I know many people love this book, I liked to, but I fell out for a while. There was something that made me lose attention at the end of the first book and the beginning of the second.

However, I liked it enough to keep reading the books when they come.

Visit titlefindr for more recommendations like "Blood Song".

The Blade Itself (The First Law #1) by Joe Abercrombie

Book cover: The Blade Itself
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Murderous conspiracies, old scores ready to be settled, unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny, and packed with unforgettable characters. This is what you will get in The Blade Itself.

In this story, we follow some interesting characters. The infamous barbarian Logen Ninefingers, Captain Jezal dan Luthar, Inquisitor Glokta, and he wizard Bayaz.

Jezal is a nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness. He has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle.

Glokta, a cripple turned torturer, loves cutting treason out of the Union, one confession at a time.

Bayaz is an old man with a terrible temper. He could be the First of the Magi or he could be a spectacular fraud.

Whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glotka a whole lot more difficult.

Is The First Law good?

The Blade Itself is the first book in The First Law series.

This book, especially Glokta with his biting and interesting internal monologues, is among the better fantasy books.

You will have a blast reading this.

The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow and Thorn #1) by Tad Williams

Book cover: The Dragonbone Chair
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The High King of Osten Ard, slayer of the dread dragon Shurakai, lies dying.

With his death, the Storm King, undead ruler of the elvish like Siti, will finally be free to unleash his plans to regain his lost realm.

Only the League of the Scroll, a small secret group with members scattered all over the world, recognizes the coming danger.

Simon, a castle scullion and an unknowingly apprenticed to a member of this League, will be tossed out in the center of the conflict. The conflict with the Storm King and the Leagues quest for the solution to a riddle of long-lost swords of power.

Simon will be confronted with enemies straight out of a legend-maker's worst nightmares!

Is Memory, Sorrow and Thorn good?

I remember I was spell-bound by this trilogy.

Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn was one of the earlier fantasy series I read, and it was really good.

All fantasy fans should read this trilogy.

Prince of Thorns (Broken Empire #1) by Mark Lawrence

Book cover: Prince of Thorns
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When he was nine, he watched as his mother and brother were killed before him. At thirteen, he led a band of bloodthirsty thugs. By fifteen, he intends to be king…

Is Broken Empire good?

Prince of Thorns is a great book, and Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath is a great anti-hero.

This is a must-read, as long as you are OK with anti-heroes as protagonists.

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The Way of Shadows (The Night Angel Trilogy #1) by Brent Weeks

Book cover: The Way of Shadows
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Azoth started as a guild rat living in the slum. To survive this brutal life he learned to judge people quickly and to take calculated risks.

Risks like selling his soul to the devil,Durzo Blint, the most accomplished assassin there is. Azoth did this in order to protect his friends Jaral and Doll-girl.

To be accepted by Durzo Blint, Azoth had to turn his back on his old life and embrace a new identity and name.

Now known as Kylar Stern, Azoth must learn to navigate the assassins' world of dangerous politics and strange magics.

Is The Night Angel Trilogy good?

The Way of Shadows is the first book in the Night Angel Trilogy. Its an excellent series.

The hours just fly by as we live the life of Kylar Stern.

The Black Company (Chronicles of the Black Company #1) by Glen Cook

Book cover: The Black Company
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Some feel the Lady, newly risen from centuries in thrall, stands between humankind and evil. Some feel she is evil itself.

The hard-bitten men of the Black Company take their pay and do what they must, burying their doubts with their dead.

Until the prophecy: The White Rose has been reborn, somewhere, to embody good once more. There must be a way for the Black Company to find her.

Is Chronicles of the Black Company good?

I have only read the first book, and that is many years ago. I remember liking it, but I was no in a reading mood back then, however, I plan to take this series up again.

Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer trilogy #1) by Robin Hobb

Book cover: Assassin's Apprentice
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Young Fitz is born on the wrong side of the sheets, he is the bastard son of Prince Chivalry.

As a young child, Fitz is raised as a stableboy in the shadow of the royal court. He is raised by his father's stableman, Burrich, the stablemaster at Buckkeep.

Fitz is treated as an outcast by all the nobles except by King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored to become an assassin.

In Fitz's blood runs the magic called Skill, and the more animalistic, and by most, the abhorred art known as the Wit.

Fitz is growing to manhood, and soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-crushing mission as an assassin to the crown.

Is Farseer trilogy good?

This is the first book in The Farseer trilogy, and it is very good. This series is among the books that are a must-read for any fan of fantasy books.

The Lies of Locke Lamora (The Gentleman Bastard #1) by Scott Lynch

Book cover: The Lies of Locke Lamora
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Locke Lamora has a quick wit and a gift for thieving and he is born in the island city of Camorr.

Locke has dodged both death and slavery, but only to fall into the hands of an eyeless priest known as Chains. A man who is neither blind nor a priest, but a con artist of extraordinary talent.

Chains pass his skills on to his carefully selected gang of orphans. A group that is known as the Gentlemen Bastards.

Under Chains guiding hand, Locke grows to lead the Gentlemen Bastards. Together they are pulling off one outrageous confidence game after another.

But Locke is not fully his own man.

A shadowy and ambitious figure known as the Gray King is using him. The Gray King uses Lock and the Gentlemen Bastards as pawns in his play to take control of Camorr's underworld. With a bloody coup threatening to destroy everyone and everything that he cares for, Locke vows to beat the Gray King at his own game or die trying.

Animes like The Painted Man (Demon Cycle #1)

We have found some anime suggestions that you might like. They should have some common elements to the Demon Cycle. But it's not that easy to find very similar items in other mediums

Claymore

Anime cover: Claymore
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In a world that humans must share with Yoma, demonic predators who feast on human intestines, we follow a young boy, Raki, who has lost everything to the Yomas. He joins up with Clare, a slightly older girl, and a Claymore.

Claymores are half human and half Yoma.

Claymoresare detested by most humans, but they are necessary. They are the only force that stands between them and getting their intestines eaten.

Clare and Raki travel together around on missions set by the Claymore leaders to take care of Yoma infestations. Clare is considered an outcast by her own people for picking up a young boy and for almost losing herself to her Youma side.

Is Claymore good?

Claymore is a really good anime.

Its a brutal story about revenge, growing stronger and mentoring others. It has characters that grow and change, and best of all, it does not have battles that drag on for ages like so many shonen based anime does. 

Claymore might also be interesting for people that usually do not watch anime, especially if you like strong female characters.

Why is Claymore recommended?

Claymore also has monsters roaming the land. The claymores are a mix of human and monster, kind of like what Arlen becomes.

If you like The Deamon Cycle series and want an anime like it then Claymore is one to check out.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime cover

Tanjirou Kamado lives with his family on a remote mountain far away from the closest village. Even being poor and living far away they enjoy a relatively peaceful and happy life together.

But one-day Tanjirous life changes radically.

Tanjirou has been over at the closest village selling some charcoal. But he is late on his way home and is forced to take shelter in the house of a strange man. This strange man warns him of the existence of flesh-eating demons lurking in the woods at night.

When Tanjirou finally arrives back home the next day he is greeted with a horrible sight. His whole family has been slaughtered. Except for his sister Nezuko, but his sister did not really survive.

He's sister has turned into a bloodthirsty demon.

Tanjirou swears to avenge his family and to stay by his sister's side and protect her.

Tanjirou will do whatever it takes to slay demons and protect his sister. He joins a mysterious group calling themselves the Demon Slayer Corps to keep his promises

Is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba good?

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is actually a very good shounen. Shounen animes are often long dragged and mostly battles, but this one is actually able to keep it interesting.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is worth watching, but it still might not be the best choice if you hate Shounen or are new to anime and not a teenager.

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Attack on Titan

Attack on Titan Anime Cover
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Eren Yeager decided to dedicate his life to combat Titans after he witnessed a horrific personal loss at the hands of one of those creatures.

Eren enlists in the Survey Corps. They are an elite military unit that combats the merciless Titans outside the protection of the walls.

The Walls surrounding the last remnants of humanity were built many generations back. It was the last desperate attempt by humanity to survive the Titaninvasion.

Before the Wall, Titans were eating humans to extinction. Nothing they did made a dent in the Titaninvasion.

But the Walls do not last forever, and now they are beginning to fail, and no one remembers how to build new ones.

Can Eren Yeager and the rest of the Survey Corps stand against the Titans?

Is Attack on Titan good?

Attack on Titan, or Shingeki no Kyojin is an excellent anime.

If you like Shounen then it is a must-watch, and it is good even if you usually do not watch this genre.

It's among the better animes, so it something that should be given an attempt. Just be warned, it's a Shounen, so it's on the longer side.

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Berserk

Anime cover: Berserk
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Guts is a brave young warrior who fights as a mercenary on the front lines.

He befriends the charismatic and deadly Griffith.

Griffith is the leader of the Band of the Hawk, a group of rogue soldiers.

The armies of Midland will quake with fear as Griffith and Guts set off on a path that will bring the world to its knees.

Is Berserk good?

I love Berserk.

It a masterpiece.

People who have never watched animes might also like it.

Visit titlefindr for more recommendations like "Berserk".

Movie like The Painted Man (Demon Cycle #1)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Movie cover: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
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In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring we are introduced to Frodo as he receives the ring from Bilbo. He starts on his journey to Mordor to destroy the ring in the fires of Mount Doom.

On his way there we are in this first part gradually introduced to his companions that will join him in a fellowship to destroy the ring.

This journey will be full of perils, from small skirmishes, to large battles and to internal battles of the mind. It's an epic journey of the granted proportions.

Is The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring good?

I remember I could barely wait for the next movie in this series when I first watched it. Nothing can match that anticipation.

This is the first movie in a really good movie trilogy. It also keeps fairly close to the story told in the books.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a must-watch for everyone.

Visit titlefindr for more recommendations like "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring".

TV-Show like The Painted Man (Demon Cycle #1)

The Witcher

The Witcher cover
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The Witcher follows the story of Geralt of Rivia, one of the few remaining witchers.

Witchers are humans that are magically altered to make them better at fighting magical monsters.

Geralt is a Witcher and a solitary monster hunter. He has to traverse a world where people often are more wicked and brutal than the monsters and beast he was made to hunt.

In the midst of brutal changes on the continent, Geralt's life is forcefully changed by destiny. His fate is tightly intertwined with two other people. A powerful sorceress and a young princess with a special gift.

The Witcher is base on a series with the same name by the Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski.

An excellent game series is also based on his books.

Is The Witcher good?

The witcher is a top-notch show from Netflix.

I relay hope they keep it alive for many seasons.

Season one was a little confusing with different stories on different timelines, but as soon as I got what was happening it was ok.

Henry Cavill does an excellent job as Geralt, a perfect match. And the show has some of the better sword fighting scenes than I have ever seen on a TV show.

The Witcher is a must watch show on Netflix

Why is The Witcher recommended?

Geralt is also a mutant, something that Arlen arguably also becomes. Both shows also have strong monster-hunting elements.

The Demon Cycle series has more of a post-apocalyptic doomed feel to it. More fleeing and hiding from the demons, at least in the beginning.

Why: recommended

Hopefully, you found some suggestions for your interest on this list. We did our best to create a big and good list of recommendations similar to the Demon Cycle. Both from the same medium and some from different mediums.

Come back in the future if you want more suggestions. At A Fictional Universe we try to keep our articles up to date, so it might be different the next time you come.


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