Reluctant Heroes Rise to the Challenge in 6 Fantasy Books

Prince Jalan Kendath is no one’s idea of a hero. Ninth in line to the Red Queen’s throne, he’s content to spend his days gambling, drinking, and womanizing. His life philosophy is simple: Don’t get killed, don’t get married, don’t get noticed. But when a magical curse binds him to mighty Norse warrior Snorri ver Snagason, he’s forced to overcome his cowardice and self-serving nature to travel well out of his comfort zone to save his kingdom—or at least try and not get killed while Snorri does the saving. He’s one of the most entertaining of the reluctant heroes I’ve read in any fantasy book.

As the adopted human daughter of Vincent the vampire king, Oraya has known that her life forever hangs in the balance. Her only goal is to stay alive, refusing to show weakness but always emotionally restrained and utterly self-disciplined. It’s only when she has a chance to enter the Kejari that she finally dares to dream—not of becoming a hero, but of gaining enough power to keep herself from being turned into vampire food. It’s an amazing transition she goes through not just to come into her own strength, but also to find a greater purpose in her life.

Tigana stands as one of Guy Gavriel Kay’s most beautiful and enchanting stories, and just so happens to have more than a few reluctant heroes.

Devin d’Asoli is a musician, not a fighter, who accidentally gets swept up in Prince Alessan’s rebellion. Prince Alessan himself is reluctant to launch his rebellion because he’s burdened by the tragedy of duty, weary of being the only one to remember the name of his destroyed home. Dianora hates the evil Brandin for destroying her home, yet she’s fallen in love with him and is reluctant to do anything that might threaten their relationship. Catriana is reluctant to join in Alessan’s schemes, but ultimately realizes that sacrifice is required because it is the only way to do what must be done. A wonderful story from start to finish, with the reluctant hero trope done beautifully in many different forms.

The Vin we meet in the opening pages of The Final Empire is the farthest thing from a hero. She’s a street thief, paranoid, orphan, distrustful of everyone and everything. When Kelsier recruits her into his crew, she’s got no interest in fighting the powers that be—she just wants to survive. She’s even afraid of her own power initially, because it’ll make her a target for the very people she’s been trying to steer clear of. But as she comes into her own, she embraces the choices before her despite her fear, and ultimately becomes the hero the world needs her to be. It’s a beautifully done story about the true meaning of courage: it’s choosing to act despite fear.  

Arlen Bales might not be the first name that springs to mind when you think of reluctant hero. After all, from the beginning of his tale, he’s determined to fight and destroy the demons who are plaguing his world. But what makes him such a great reluctant hero is that he’s not a hero at all.

I love how he’s just there to kill demons night after night, in village after village, city after city, heedless of the people starting to see him as a symbol to rally around. By the time he realizes how everyone is looking at him, it’s almost embarrassing for him. He’s just doing his job, and only with great reluctance takes on any sort of leadership or authority role. He is the unwilling Messiah the world needs, but because he doesn’t want it, he’s the right one for the job.

Jester introduces us to Shelliac of the Gorod—aka, Shelly—the goblin whose entire life is dedicated to latrine maintenance. He is quite literally the lowest (and smelliest) of the low. But when his above-average intelligence and cunning leads him to realize a murder is more than it seems, he finds himself slowly working his way up the ranks of castle power. He’s reluctant to leave his place in safe obscurity and help the humans who have done very little to treat him well.

I loved how his heroism comes not from wanting to be a hero or gain power, but because he sees what might happen if he does nothing and realizes that choosing inaction could have dangerous consequences to those he cares about. Effectively, he steps up because no one else can, will, or is smart enough to see the threats he’s recognized.