The Fantasy Review’s list of 5 awesome fantasy books with captivating protagonists.
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
I might not have finished reading Malazan Book of the Fallen by Steven Erikson, but I have read the first three books several times, and I have read Gardens of the Moon three times. It is a seriously good fantasy book, once you get through the steep learning curve.
The characterisation in these books is severely underrated, with many readers focusing on the fantastic work Erikson does with themes, settings, and language instead. I understand the focus of reviews on those elements, but the characters in Gardens of the Moon (and the other books I have read in the series) are some of the best realised individuals in literature.
From their memorable names and sometimes murky moral compasses to their distinctive voices and choices, these characters will stay with you long after finishing the final page.
For my full thoughts, please read my review of Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Joe Abercrombie is often praised for his character work in The First Law series, so I will try not to tread too much on what has been said so many times before. However, The Blade Itself (and all the books in The First Law World), does not care much about plot.
The story is great, don’t get me wrong, but this book is more about the characters and how they react to the world around them. Things are happening, sometimes big, epic things, but what the reader is invited to see is intimate workings of these main characters’ minds when faced with their many obstacles.
For my full thoughts, please read my review of The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson is the first book of a planned ten in The Stormlight Archive series, but do not let the scale of this story put you off. Fans of Sanderson might have expected to see The Final Empire on here (book one of the Mistborn trilogy), so I will quickly say now that that trilogy also has some fantastic character work and you should check it out!
The Way of Kings has many POV charcaters, but the main protagonist in book one of The Stormlight Archive is Kaladin. Sanderson excels here at a realistic, tangible representation of depression, using fantasy elements to enhance the depiction.
Kaladin and The Way of Kings are my favourites in the series, but in the next three books that are currently out (plus two novellas), we see Sanderson expanding the world of Roshar through excellent characterisation; Dalinar’s arc in Oathbringer is one of the most exciting and emotionally conflicting character arcs in the genre, and many reviews before mine have praised it.
For my full thoughts, please read my review of The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
This is a series that will surprise you. I promise, I was not a fan of the quite overt sexism from the protagonist, Harry Dresden, in the first few books in The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. So many lines of dialogue and thought made me cringe and feel uncomfortable. I thought that this was not a hero I could root for.
How wrong I was.
As the books progress, so does Harry Dresden. I an up to date with this series, having read the 17 main books of The Dresden Files, and can confirm that Dresden is one of the most interesting, heroic, and loving protagonists, and I adore him.
Additionally, with so many books in a series, you can certainly expect to find some side characters who are absolutely wonderful, from the badass Karrin Murphy and pious Michael Carpenter, to my favourite, the Polka-obsessed Butters!
You can read my reviews of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher for my full thoughts.
Priestess of the White by Trudi Canavan
Finally on this list we have a book and trilogy close to my heart, Priestess of the White by Trudi Canavan, book one in the Age of the Five trilogy. Auraya is the main protagonist of a small cast of POV characters and she’s wonderful.
I think it is Auraya’s love of the natural world that makes me fall in love with her character on every reread. Her awe and wonder at new places, peoples, and magic are a joy to read.
The cast of characters in this trilogy is also fantastic, following a healer, a powerful woman on the run, and an advisor to some of the most powerful people in the world. These books are easy to read but pack a big punch; be prepared for those twists!
Please read my review of Priestess of the White by Trudi Canavan for my full thoughts.
